Accident Overview
On 3 July 2000 at 1950 UTC, a privately operated Europa aircraft, registration G-BXIJ, sustained damage during a landing attempt at a grass airstrip at Knockbain Farm near Dingwall, Rosshire. The aircraft was returning from Inverness. The pilot, aged 74, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 3,303 flying hours, with 15 hours on type. The single-engine aircraft was powered by a Rotax 912-UL piston engine and was manufactured in 1999.
Flight Sequence
The pilot conducted an overhead join for Runway 08, with the surface wind reported as 050°/08 kt. Pre-landing checks were completed on the downwind leg. On base leg, the landing gear and flaps (interlocked to the outrigger wheels) were lowered. The final approach speed was stabilised at 60 kt and reduced to 55 kt at the threshold. The touchdown occurred at the beginning of the strip, which was slightly undulating. The aircraft bounced, and the pilot applied rearward control movement to recover. After a second bounce, the pilot elected to carry out a go-around.
The Go-Around and Loss of Control
Full power was applied while the aircraft was still airborne, and the aircraft yawed to the left. The speed was very low, though not precisely noted, and the pilot reported that his control inputs were having little effect. The aircraft veered to the left off the runway into an area of uncut grass approximately 18 inches high. The long grass caught the left outrigger, causing further yaw to the left. The pilot noticed a fence to the left in his peripheral vision. Before he could close the throttle, the aircraft struck the fence with its propeller and wing tip. The pilot then secured the aircraft, and he and the single passenger vacated the aircraft through normal exits.
Damage and Injuries
The accident resulted in damage to the propeller and the tips of both wings. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained injuries.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot considered that the combination of applying full power and the crosswind component caused the aircraft to yaw to the left. The low airspeed did not permit sufficient control surface effect to stop the aircraft from entering the long grass, the retardation effects of which prevented the aircraft from becoming airborne again.